Retired Professors Support
From the winter 2008 issue of UConn Momentum
Two retired professors who have made significant contributions to the field of animal science are helping students follow in their footsteps. William A. “Al” Cowan and Nathan Hale ’46, who funded a student award together nearly two decades ago, are each establishing permanent endowed scholarships for students in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) and the Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture.
“I was fortunate to have Dr. Hale as a teacher when I attended UConn, and have known Dr. Cowan since that time as well. They have always demonstrated a commitment to student learning through their personal and professional commitments and through their generosity,” says Cameron Faustman ’82, associate dean at CANR and director of Ratcliffe Hicks.
In the early 1990s, Cowan and Hale gave a joint non-endowed gift to establish the Cowan Hale Award for freshmen majoring in animal science. In late 2007, they decided to close their previous award in favor of establishing permanent endowments to provide lasting support for future students.
The former professors created their new awards with planned gifts to the UConn Foundation. The W.A. Cowan Undergraduate Award in Animal Science was established with an IRA transfer of $100,000. Gifts of annuity and stock were used to establish the Nathan Hale Award in Animal Science.
Both new merit scholarships will be given to full-time undergraduate students, with priority given to incoming freshmen, enrolled in either the two-year animal science program at Ratcliffe Hicks or the four-year program at CANR. Recipients will be chosen based on their accomplishments and leadership in working with livestock.
“The monies provided will help students achieve their educational goals. In some instances it will make the difference between attending or not attending college,” says Faustman. “Equally important is that the formal recognition will provide affirmation to the students that their interests are valued and that the faculty is confident that they are the future leaders in animal science.”
Cowan and Hale left indelible marks at UConn. Cowan headed the animal science department for 32 years, and was beloved by students and faculty throughout his tenure. In the 1970s, he selected the champion cattle and horse lines that are the backbone of UConn’s current herds. His legacy for eminent work extends well beyond UConn’s campus. In 2007, Cowan won the Agricultural Adventurers Award at the Eastern States Exposition for his contributions to New England agriculture.
Hale was given the Distinguished Alumni Award in 1999 by the CANR alumni association for his contributions to animal science. He intends his endowment to carry on not only his own legacy, but that of Connecticut teacher and Revolutionary War hero Nathan Hale, whom he was named after. Similarly to his namesake, who was a pioneer in the struggle for equal access to education for women, Hale wants to improve the accessibility and affordability of higher education.
“The opportunity to secure tuition help at the onset of freshman year is sparse compared to the scholarships available in the latter years,” says Hale, who hopes that contributions from other donors will help expand his fund. “It is my wish that others, seeing the same value of this award for entering freshmen, and those who have admiration for Nathan Hale’s sacrifice, will contribute to this fund.”
Hale is also giving back to UConn for the education and assistance he received. Hale won scholarships and worked his way through school by taking a job working with the University’s livestock. He earned a bachelor’s degree in 1946, went on to get a doctorate, and then returned in 1954 to teach at UConn for 31 years.
To support the W.A. Cowan Undergraduate Award in Animal Science or the Nathan Hale Award in Animal Science, please contact Amy Chesmer at 860.486.1763 or by e-mail.
